New HVAC install questions

[marspinball]

Hi

I have a 50+ year old home and would like to install central heat and air. Home is located in Southern CA and is about 1800 sq. feet, single level. There is no current system other than a gas wall heater. I have room in the attic to run ducts and a closet at the end of a hallway in the center of the house for the forced air unit. The closet area is about 34 by 34 inches. The closet will have to be demolished to build a new closet specifically for the HVAC.

My questions are:

Will the closet need a dedicated outlet or can I tap into an outlet on the other side of the wall (which would be a kitchen counter outlet).

How large of a unit should I need for about 1800 sq ft.?

Can rooms or sections of the house be "zoned". (I have a 400 sq ft family/game room that does not need to be cooled/heated unless it is occupied.)

Will I need to pour cement to level the area for the compressor? Their already is cement on the side of the house but it is sloped 10-15 degrees for drainage.

Will a new flue be necessary for the heater. The existing flue for the old wall heater is about eight feet, (down the hall) from the closet so can it be used?

Since the house is old (built 1951) will I need another power drop. Currently the house does not have a 220V outlet. Their is a natural gas line running through the current closet area going into the kitchen.

I'm thinking of a Carrier system like the Infinity 96. Any good or bad reviews???

What should I expect to pay??

Thanks for the help!!

Martin.

[marspinball]

I would like to make it clear that I will be having a professional do the install. I understand that this is not a typical DIY job.

[Stormin Mormon]

I have a 50+ year old home and would like to install central heat and air. CY: Excellent idea.

Home is located in Southern CA and is about 1800 sq. feet, single level. There is no current system other than a gas wall heater. I have room in the attic to run ducts and a closet at the end of a hallway in the center of the house for the forced air unit. The closet area is about 34 by 34 inches. The closet will have to be demolished to build a new closet specifically for the HVAC. CY: You sound serious. Good job, sir.

My questions are:

Will the closet need a dedicated outlet or can I tap into an outlet on the other side of the wall (which would be a kitchen counter outlet). CY: The heating plant/ air handler should be on its own 15 amp circuit.

How large of a unit should I need for about 1800 sq ft.? CY: Not being there, I can't be sure. However, I'd guess 60,000 BTU heating, and two tons cooling.

Can rooms or sections of the house be "zoned". (I have a 400 sq ft family/game room that does not need to be cooled/heated unless it is occupied.) CY: Should be able to get vents that close.

Will I need to pour cement to level the area for the compressor? Their already is cement on the side of the house but it is sloped 10-15 degrees for drainage. CY: The compressor needs to be level. How you do this depends on you and the contractors.

Will a new flue be necessary for the heater. The existing flue for the old wall heater is about eight feet, (down the hall) from the closet so can it be used? CY: If you get a 90 percenter, the installers will use PVC pipe for the flue, which is relatively painless technique.

Since the house is old (built 1951) will I need another power drop. Currently the house does not have a 220V outlet. Their is a natural gas line running through the current closet area going into the kitchen. CY: It is possible that your house has 220 volt capability which was not yet used. Your local contractor can answer that for you.

I'm thinking of a Carrier system like the Infinity 96. Any good or bad reviews??? CY: I've never worked with those.

What should I expect to pay?? CY: If you use illegal criminal border jumpers for labor, about $3,572.14. If you use union guys who actually do the job right, I'd expect $5,146.39.

Thanks for the help!!

Martin.

[aka-SBM]

First off and most important...ignore Stormin Moron...hes got no freaking clue what a job in CA consists of. Second, you better get a licenced guy to do it, or you will find out real fast how much you didnt save when you get hit with fines there. And make DAMN sure you have a licenced company do it. check with the FTB (Franchise Tax Board) to insure you are working with a legit contractor. Ask if they insure Title 24 requirements...insure they do a load calc...insure they do a duct calc...check their insurance, check their workers comp...etc..

Your local licenced HVAC company should have the electricial included in their bid.

Your local licenced HVAC company should do a manual J and D to tell you.

Your local licenced HVAC company should be able to give you options to this.

See previous replies.

See previous replies.

See reply about electrical....

Depends on if you are a homeowner, or repair tech.

Alot. Title 24 really kicked the prices up out there. And its gonna depend on WHERE in SoCa you are at. LA will be different from SD, PS will be different from Landers...

[Bubba]

[B-Hate-Me]

An "excellent idea" would be to take the advice of aka-SBM and not listen to anything that the mormun has to say...He's a snappa-head.

Let's look at some of his answers-

Here the mormun shows his stupidity regarding wiring issues.

Here the mormun shows his dipshittery regarding system sizing.

Be sure to pour some of that cement into the mormun's head.... It's empty anyway.

Janitrol is his main line.

[Stormin Mormon]

An "excellent idea" would be to take the advice of aka-SBM and not listen to anything that the mormun has to say...He's a snappa-head. CY: Well, if you think Super BM has better advice, that's fine to take it. However, I don't have much confidence in Super BM.

Let's look at some of his answers-

Here the mormun shows his stupidity regarding wiring issues. CY: Now we know why people hate you. You don't contribute anything useful.

Here the mormun shows his dipshittery regarding system sizing. CY: Hmm. Dipshittery -- that's an English castle about 50 KM from London.

Be sure to pour some of that cement into the mormun's head.... It's empty anyway. CY: And you are wasting time talking with an empty head? for shame.

Janitrol is his main line. CY: Actually, incorrect. But you didn't get anything right in this post. So, at least you're consistent.

[B-Hate-Me]

Hate is a very powerful emotion. Good, good.

Your anger has given you focus. Your hate has made you powerful.

I have you turning to the dark side........Good.

Soon you will refute your petty god and take your place at my side.

*I* will become your god.

Good.

[aka-SBM]

Oh gooooooody.....Hey chrissy sissy...i used to live in CA and still got a home there....curious...know anything about CA law? Couple of good posters in here do...you are not one of them.

Thats cause, I can take any answer you give on here, and make you look like the fool you are to those readers that are not totaly f****ng brain dead.

REALLY now? Gee Chris, hes in SouCal..what if hes goin heat pump? GEEEEEEEE....

In Palm Springs....the heating might cover a mobile home, but 2 tons cooling wont touch a doublewide....I mean..since you live in a trailer and probably only service the other renters in your trailer park there in NY...

Oh yea....and make sure its standing in water too....

Ummm..according to you, most ever brand but Goodmans a new one for you. Took you what? A week of throwing parts at a Rheem to get it to fire back up/////

Actually, he hit the nail on the head, but dont worry son....one day, with training, you might see the error of your ways, and you might even give up that cult you are a member of.